Earlier today, we mentioned that Tony Bennett appeared on the Howard Stern Show earlier this week to discuss his new album Duets II…but then he felt the need to tell the world that he blames the United States for the 9/11 attacks.

We were NOT impressed, and clearly plenty of others felt the same way, because Tony has issued an apology for his insensitive, very poorly timed comments:

"There is simply no excuse for terrorism and the murder of the nearly 3,000 innocent victims of the 9/11 attacks on our country. My experiences - ranging from the Battle of the Bulge to marching with Martin Luther King - made me a lifelong humanist and pacifist, and reinforced my belief that violence begets violence and that war is the lowest form of human behaviour."

"I am sorry if my statements suggested anything other than an expression of my love for my country, my hope for humanity and my desire for peace throughout the world."

Thanks for the clarification, Tony. And hopefully you're enjoying all the free publicity you're getting for your new album.

What do U think about Tony Bennett's 9/11 comments and nearly immediate apology? Was it all legit, or was he just looking for attention???

24 comments to “Tony Bennett Apologizes For 9/11 Comments”

I think he's entitled to his own opinion. He can think and say whatever he wants, he has the freedom to do so. What's the worst that can happen? I don't really think it will wreck his career. His success for the most part is behind him, since he's old as shit. His legacy may take a hit… but Michael Jackson might have been a child molester, yet he's high up on a pedestal. I trust the U.S to be more forgiving.

What I got from what he said is that, there were reasons why the US was attacked - it was not done for nothing. Look at the big picture - there is a whole lot of history involved and very sadly this attack happened. This does not mean that he condoned it. He was simply elaborating on why it happened. I do not think he needed to apologize for that.

He shouldn't have to apologize. Like ncposse wrote there were reasons why the US was attacked. People need to understand the history between the middle east and the states. To be honest, most people I know aren't surprised this attack happened and neither am I. He shouldn't feel the need to apologize because of all the backlash he received for his comment, and since it's going against his opinion it would seem that the apology is not a sincere one.

CRAZY OLD ASSHOLE COOT! — One problem. He's pretty much right, and should have never apologized for it. We treat other countries and their people like they're sub-human. Unworthy of being an equal. We were built by all those sub-standard human beings. I know, I know, "America RULES!!! Go to hell!! We kick ass!!!". Typical shit that's been spewed out ad nauseum for decades in this, the youngest country on the planet. This country is like a punk teenager bullying all that don't fall in line. And the superpatriots will say, "Fuck YEAH!" to that statement. The same ones who hate gays, are uncomfortable sitting next to a person of color and feel deep down inside they are *actually* more civilized and intelligent than anyone in another country. Tony Bennett used "bombing" as a metaphor for "taking our shit for 50 years and not doing a god damn thing…" - 9/11 was horrible and the people that did it should rot in hell, yes. But it doesn't change the fact. And unfortunately we're at risk for something else, God forbid. We've been bombing the SHIT out of 2 countries for a decade. "FUCK YEAH!!!" the superpatriots chant. And then wonder why, in 10 years, some completely uneducated, poor, young asshole from half way across the world gets paid a million dollars to give to his family so he decides that the virgins exist and walks into our country with a god damn dirty bomb.

Yeah, he had no reason to apologize. Maybe plenty of people agreed with you that it was horrible but plenty of people also agreed with him that there is a reason the States got attacked instead of somewhere like Switzerland or France. It doesn't make what happened okay by any means and it doesn't mean it should have happened…but it's not like they randomly pointed to a spot on the map to attack. The States needs to stop bullying the rest of the world and then acting confused when someone decides to attack back.

He shouldn't have to apologize because he's right. No one is surprised that the U.S was attacked, especially all the teenage/fratboy bullying they've been doing to other countries for years. It's sad that people lost their lives, and that shouldn't have happened, but the U.S should have seen this coming for a long time. They dished dirt, and someone decided to dish it right back.

I would love someday to see that when a famous person says something about any topic andit rffles feathers or draws harsh criticism, that they have the fortitude to stand by their convictions and not be swayed by the potential loss of the almighty $$
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it's like they are selling out
and at Tony's age- with his bank account- he should have been true to himself and stood by what he said
….he was sober….he knew he was on air …and he knew what he was saying…so backpeddling now actually lowers my opinion of him more than any actual controversial statement he may make.
the last time I really saw someone put it all on the line- money/career/popularity etc. for their convictions
was Sinead O'Connor tearing up the pope's ppicture on Saturday Night Live…taking a stand against the Catholic church covering up the rampant child sexual abuse that was going on in Ireland (which the current Pope finally admitted and apologized for!)
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that was one brave gal who was at the top of the charts who was scorned and pretty well blackballed because of her convictions - and she has ultimate respect because she never back-peddled or apologized for it!!!

aren't people allowed to have their own fucking oprionions? who shoulodn't have apologized for SHIT!!! look at all the loser nobody's who are allowed to spew all kind of fucking hate and BS. I happen to agree with TB. but God FORBID anyone thinks good ol' America wasn't rtesponsible for the train wreck that was 9/11.

You may not want to believe that America is responsible for the pile of shit its stewing in for the last 10 years, but it is. Tony is right. Of course what the terrorists did on September 11 was wrong, no one is disputing that, but it's no different than what America has been doing ALL OVER THE WORLD. America has been murdering innocent civilians all over the world since its inception. Open your fucking eyes, America. Read history books that AREN'T published in the US and you'll quickly learn why no one likes you.

I'm very disappointed Mr Bennett apologized for his comments. He's more concerned about his new album sales apparently. America provokes and label it "patriotism" —– other countries react & we label it "terrorism". (and USofA is selling "democracy" to other countries??????)

The United States has done so much for the world to end enslavements, promote freedom and democracy, and generally bring up the standard of living. People can point out so many little things that "make us evil" or a "bully", but that's a crock. God Bless this country and its ideals, being the only thing standing in the way of one group of a-holes trying to enslave people to their "God", and another group of a-holes trying to enslave us to "the welfare of the State". The reason Hitler came to power is because of a-holes like you all who apologize for our success and ideals and practice a policy of appeasement to people whose religious beliefs dictate that "infidels" (anyone who is not them) be destroyed.

If I was in that controversy I would have been like "fuck you people, do research idiots". People need to do research on 9/11 in the inside job 2 planes can't hit 3 buildings especially WTC 7 which is a very powerful steel building. It was very clear those 2 planes hit those other 2 buildings than the 3rd building randomly fell how did it do that when no PLANE HIT IT? Why aren't the government answering questions?

Anyone who has done research knows the government controls television so why did BBC report WTC 7 fell 20 minutes before? People NEED TO DO RESEARCH. There are multiple sites showing proof that 9/11 was caused by the government it was an inside job period. Tony though is a little punk he needs to put his foot down.

Re: Fraulein Steve – I'm sorry but YOU ARE AN IDIOT. America is a fucked up country. The soldiers kill innocent people in the middle east everyday. Did you forget about the IRAQ invasion that America did? What about Libya? Don't you dare say God Bless America. America's been Satan's country. Period. God is way fed up with America. America also spies on America, aka BIG BROTHER? And I mean for what why? No reason.